ISRAELI CENTURION TANKS ON STAND-BY IN NEGEV DESERT.




Initials PBS/V/MGT/JG



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Background: LATEST REPORTS FROM THE 117-MILE (187 KMS) BORDER BETWEEN ISRAEL AND EGYPT SAY THE SITUATION IS QUIET, ALTHOUGH EGYPTIAN AND ISRAELI FORCES CONTINUE TO FACE EACH OTHER ACROSS THE FRONTIER.

REUTER SAYS THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF SPECTACULAR TROOP MOVEMENTS IN THE AREA, ALTHOUGH LARGE DETACHMENTS OF ISRAELI AND EGYPTIAN ARMOUR HAVE BEEN MOVED TO DEFENCE POSITIONS IN THE NEGEV DESERT.

THE ISRAELI ARMY CHIEF OF STAFF, MAJOR-GENERAL YITZHAK RABIN TODAY REPORTED TO THE ISRAELI CABINET ON THE MILITARY SITUATION IN THE MIDDLE EAST. HE AND THE ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER, MR. LEVI ESHKOL, ARE REPORTED TO HAVE TOURED NEGEV DESERT POSITIONS YESTERDAY (SATURDAY).

THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT HAS ANNOUNCED THAT A LIMITED NUMBER OF RESERVISTS HAD BEEN MOBILISED AND THE COUNTRY'S DEFENCE FORCES HAD TAKEN STEPS TO MEET ANY EVENTUALITY.

MR. ESHKOL IS TO MAKE A STATEMENT TO THE KNESSET (PARLIAMENT) TOMORROW (MONDAY).

ACCORDING TO FIGURES COMPILED BY THE INSTITUTE FOR STRATEGIC STUDIES ISRAEL'S ARMY IS EQUIPPED WITH 250 CENTURION MARK 5 AND 7 TANKS, 200 PATTON TANKS, AND 200 SHERNAN TANKS. ITS ARMOUR ALSO INCLUDES 250 SELF-PROPELLED GUNS, MAINLY 155 AND 105 M.M. HOWITZERS, THE ISRAELI ARMOURED COMMAND IS OF DIVISIONAL STRENGTH.

THE INSTITUTE OF STRATEGIC STUDIES GIVES EGYPT'S PROBABLE STRENGTH IN ARMOUR AT 1,200 TANKS AND ASSAULT GUNS, MAINLY OF SOVIET MANUFACTURE.